Outrigger Appendage

ABSTRACT

An appendage for an outrigger for trolling baits and lures outboard of the hull and forward of or close to the boat&#39;s stern wake which is created when the boat moves through the water. The appendage is configured for attachment to the outrigger, and movable from an retracted position to an extended position after attachment to the outrigger. The appendage may comprise a hinge, spring or other mechanism to allow the appendage to swing, fold or otherwise move between retracted and extended positions, and a control line or other means to control the movement of the appendage between retracted and extended positions. The appendage may also comprise one or more halyards and release clips for releasably holding lines attached to baits or lures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/100,185, filed on Sep. 25, 2008, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fishing apparatus. In particular, theinvention is directed to an appendage for an outrigger for trollingbaits and lures outboard of the hull and forward of or close to theboat's stern wake created as the boat moves through the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An outrigger is a spar, boom, or other type of beam projecting out fromthe side of a ship, boat, or vessel. Fishing boats often use outriggersto troll baits and lures outboard of the sides of the boat. Theoutriggers are typically fitted with one or more halyards, which arelines used to position one or more release clips at various positionsalong the length of the outrigger.

Outriggers are deployed in their outboard positions, usually outwardfrom the sides of the vessel and upwards at an angle of approximately 45degrees from the horizontal. Fishing lines can be releasably attached torelease clips hoisted out to various points along the length of theoutriggers by the halyards. This system enables the baits and lures tobe pulled from a point on each side and outboard of the boat. In orderto facilitate berthing and operations in close quarters, the outriggersare typically moved upward against the sides of the boat's cabin, rakedslightly aft.

When deployed, outriggers accomplish the purpose of trolling baits andlures outboard of the hull at a point well behind the stern wave and ata desirable angle to the surface of the water. The outriggers serve thefunction of allowing baits and lures to be presented in an organizedfashion at various distances outboard of the boat hull. Because thedistance from the tip of a fishing rod to the release clip on theoutrigger plus the distance from the release clip to the bait or lure isgreater than the distance from the tip of the fishing rod directly tothe bait or lure, a certain amount of slack is placed in the line oncethe release clip opens following a strike. This slack or “drop back” asit is sometimes referred to, is believed to assist in setting the hook.

However, the upward angle of the outrigger causes the release clips tobe positioned well above the surface of the water, thereby creating anupward pull on the baits and lures. This upwards pull is not desirablefor trolling because it tends to cause the baits and lures to be pulledout of the water and skip in an unrealistic fashion. To overcome theupward angle of pull, baits and lures must be positioned well behind theboat so that they pull through the water in a realistic fashion.

Boat captains and outrigger suppliers are reluctant to mount outriggersat an angle below 45° for fear that the rolling of the boat in roughseas will cause the rigger to dip into the water, thereby potentiallytearing it off of the boat. Consequently, conventional outriggers trollbaits and lures outboard of the hull at a point well behind the sternwave in order to achieve a desirable angle to the surface of the water.Although this presents baits and lures in a position where some strikesoccur, fish pursuing baits and lures in the turbulent water behind thestern wave of the boat may bypass the baits and lures for a variety ofreasons and continue swimming toward or even forward of the stern wave.

Using conventional outriggers, it is not possible to properly troll abait or lure forward of, or even close to, the stern wave. Conventionaloutriggers are normally too high off the water at any reasonable pointoutboard of the hull to allow the bait or lure to be positioned close toor forward of the stern wave and pulled at a desirable angle to thesurface of the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising anappendage attached to an outrigger. The outrigger is shown as mounted toa vessel and both the outrigger and the appendage are in their deployedstate.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view from the cockpit looking out the right side ofa vessel having the outrigger with the appendage in its deployedposition;

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of the end of the appendage showing arelease clip with a fishing line in the clip;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view from the deck on the right side of the vesselforeword of the outrigger looking aft at the outrigger and appendage;

FIG. 5 illustrates a closer view of the outrigger and the appendage; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a close up view of the hinge mechanism connecting theappendage to the outrigger in the deployed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above problems associated withconventional outriggers by providing an appendage which is removably orpermanently affixed to an outrigger at a desirable point along thelength of the outrigger. When the outrigger and appendage are deployed,the appendage may be at any desirable position outboard of the hull andextending generally downward toward the surface of the water on whichthe boat is afloat. The invention allows a bait or lure to be trolled ina position close to or forward of the stern wave at an angle to thesurface of the water that is desirable and facilitates an appropriatedrop back. The appendage can be affixed to any kind of outrigger whichis located on any kind of boat or vessel capable of trolling baits andlures.

The terms “bait” or “lure”, as used in this specification, are to beinterpreted as encompassing any kind of fishing baits, lures, teasers,dredges, hooks, lines, or other items, without limitation, which areused to attract a fish or catch it from the water.

The inventive appendage is configured for attachment to the outrigger,and is movable from a retracted position to an extended position afterattachment to the outrigger. In one embodiment, the appendage in theretracted position may be generally parallel to the outrigger, and inthe extended position, the appendage can be at any other angle to theoutrigger.

In particular embodiments, the appendage can be moved to and secured atany angle between the retracted and extended positions. That is, theappendage can be temporarily fixed or fastened at any position betweenthe fully retracted and fully extended positions. For example, theappendage can be secured in a partly extended position such as halfwaybetween the retracted and extended positions. The particular positionand configuration of the appendage will depend upon factors such as thecharacteristics of the outrigger to which the appendage is affixed,personal preference, and the particular type of bait or lure attached tothe outrigger.

In the fully retracted position, the appendage may be flush with andgenerally parallel to the outrigger so as to be compact for storage. Inthe extended position, the appendage will generally extend outward anddownward from the outrigger at an angle toward the surface of the wateron which the boat is afloat. When fully extended, the appendage may makean angle of approximately 90 degrees to the outrigger, althoughconsistent with the present invention, the appendage and the outriggermay make any angle less than or greater than 90 degrees when theappendage is fully extended. For example, the angle may be less than 90degrees from its retracted position or greater than 90 degrees from itsretracted position.

The appendage may have a substantially elongated cylindrical shape whichis complementary to the shape of the outrigger. The cylindrical shapemay have a circular, triangular, square, pentagonal, elongated, or otherkind of cross-section. In other embodiments, the appendage may have adifferent shape, cross-section, or dimensions. The appendage may also bemodular and composed of a number of separate elements which are joinedor stacked together.

The length of the appendage will vary depending upon individualcircumstances. Certain fishermen will prefer having an appendage whichis sufficiently long to almost reach the water surface when theoutrigger and appendage are fully deployed, whereas other fishermen willprefer having the end of the appendage at some distance away from thewater. In one embodiment, the length of the appendage may be less thanthe length of the outrigger.

In one embodiment of the invention, the appendage is configured forattachment to the outrigger. The appendage may be removably attached tothe outrigger. That is, the appendage may be attached or mounted to theoutrigger shortly before fishing, and then removed from the outriggerafter the day's fishing is done, or when the boat returns to dock. Inother embodiments of the invention, the appendage is permanentlyattached to the outrigger. The appendage may be connected to theoutrigger using any appropriate or convenient means of attachment, whichwill depend on whether the appendage is removably or permanentlyattached to the outrigger. Examples of means of attachment includehinges, clamps, screws, bolts, glue, welds, welding, clips, ties, ropes,and combinations thereof.

The appendage may be affixed at any point along an outrigger. In oneembodiment, the appendage may be affixed to the distal end of theoutrigger, with the proximal end of the outrigger secured to the boat.For example, the appendage may be affixed at about the midpoint, atabout the one-third mark, or at about the distal quarter portion of theoutrigger.

The appendage may be flexible or rigid, and the properties of theappendage will depend upon its material of construction. The appendagemay be manufactured from the same material or a different material thanthe outrigger. For example, the appendage can be manufactured from wood,rubber, plastic, metal, fiberglass, polymer, a composite, a combinationof any of these materials, or any other suitable material(s). Whether ornot the appendage is rigid or flexible, the appendage will generally besufficiently sturdy to resist breakage and severe deformation during usewhile still having a degree of “give”.

The appendage may comprise means for moving the appendage between theretracted and extended positions. For example, the appendage may behinged or mounted on a spring or other mechanism to allow the appendageto swing or otherwise move between the retracted and extended positions.The hinging mechanism allows the appendage to be easily deployed duringuse, and to be retracted and collapsed against the outrigger for compactstorage when not in use. The movement of the appendage in relation tothe outrigger can be controlled by any means, such as by hand, using adevice such as a control line or halyard, or by any device using anycombination of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or other kind offorce. In particular embodiments, the movement of the appendage may bemotorized.

The appendage may also comprise a control line for controlling themovement of the appendage, such as its swing, between the retracted andextended positions.

The appendage may comprise various elements for holding fishing lines orlures. For example, the appendage may be fitted with one or morehalyards with one or more release clips for releasably holding linesattached to baits or lures.

In the extended position, the appendage can be configured to troll baitsand lures forward of, or close to, the stern wave caused by movement ofthe boat through the water, and at an angle to the surface of the waterthat is desirable.

The appendage may also be provided as part of an outrigger kit for afishing boat or vessel. Although such kits will vary in content, auseful combination consists of the following elements: a) the inventiveappendage for attachment to an outrigger; b) means for moving theappendage between a retracted position and an extended position afterattachment of the appendage to the outrigger; and c) means forcontrolling the movement of the appendage between the retracted andextended positions.

The kit may further comprise one or more halyards and clips forreleasably holding a fishing line to the outrigger or to the appendage.The means for moving the appendage may be a spring, hinge, or otherdevice, and the means for controlling the movement of the appendage maybe a manual means or a mechanical means. For example, the means forcontrolling the movement of the appendage may be a control line, ahalyard, or a suitable electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical mechanism.The kit may further comprise an outrigger as an included part of thekit, thereby providing a complete fishing solution to the fisherman.

The kit can be provided as fully or partly disassembled elements. If theoutrigger is provided as part of the kit, the proximal end of theoutrigger can be attached to the boat, and the appendage may be attachedto the outrigger at a desirable point between the proximal and distalends.

The kit may further comprise one or more clips for releasably holding afishing line to the outrigger or to the appendage.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theFigures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising anappendage (20) attached to an outrigger (10). The outrigger is shown asmounted to a vessel (60) and both the outrigger (10) and the appendage(20) are in their deployed state. Halyards (50) and control lines (70)are used to maneuver the outrigger and the appendage to particularpositions, such as for fishing or for storage. The appendage is attachedto the outrigger by a hinge mechanism (80) which allows the appendage tomove between the retracted and deployed positions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of from the cockpit looking out the right sideof a vessel (not illustrated in the Figure) having the outrigger (10)with the appendage (20) in its deployed position. A fishing line (30) isattached to the appendage (20) by means of a release clip (40). Halyards(50) and control lines (70) are used to adjust the position of theoutrigger and appendage for optimal fishing.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of the end of the appendage (20)showing a release clip (40) with a fishing line (30) in the clip. Therelease clip (40) may be a conventional clip which providespredetermined tensioning for holding the fishing line (30) such thatwhen the line is hit by a fish, the clip will release the fishing line(30) from the appendage (20). Such release clips are readily availablefrom various manufacturers of fishing supplies.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of an outrigger (10) and appendage (20) fromthe deck of a vessel (70). A fishing line (30) is attached to theappendage (20) which has been mounted to the outrigger (10). Halyards(50) and control lines (70) are used to position the outrigger (10) andappendage (20).

FIG. 5 illustrates another view of the outrigger and appendage of FIG.4. The appendage (20) has been mounted to the outrigger (10), and afishing line (30) has been affixed to the appendage (20) and is readyfor trolling for fish. Halyards (50) and control lines (70) are in placefor movement and positioning of the outrigger (10) and appendage (20).

FIG. 6 illustrates a close up view of the hinge mechanism (80)connecting the appendage (20) to the outrigger (10). The appendage (20)is in the deployed position. The hinge (80) and appendage (20) can beinstalled during manufacture of the outrigger, or the hinge (80) andappendage (20) and associated halyards (50) and control lines (70) canbe provided as aftermarket parts. In one embodiment, the hinge (80) maycomprise an expandable sleeve clamp which can be fitted over theoutrigger (10). After the sleeve clamp has been installed on theoutrigger (10), the appendage (20) can be affixed to the sleeve using ascrew or other connection means, and any associated halyards, controllines, or other means can be installed for use of the appendage.

Numerous modifications and variations of embodiments of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings, and therefore,within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as particularly described.

1. An appendage for an outrigger of a boat, wherein the appendage isconfigured for attachment to the outrigger and is movable from aretracted position to an extended position when attached to theoutrigger, and wherein the appendage is adapated for trolling.
 2. Theappendage according to claim 1, wherein in the retracted position, theappendage is flush with and substantially parallel to the outrigger. 3.The appendage according to claim 1, wherein in the extended position,the appendage extends generally downward from the outrigger at an angle.4. The appendage according to claim 3, wherein the angle is less than 90degrees from its retracted position or greater than 90 degrees from itsretracted position.
 5. The appendage according to claim 1, wherein inthe extended position, the appendage extends generally downward from theoutrigger to the surface of a body of water on which the boat is afloat.6. The appendage according to claim 1, wherein the appendage isremovably attached to the outrigger.
 7. The appendage according to claim1, wherein the appendage is permanently attached to the outrigger. 8.The appendage according to claim 1, wherein the appendage is flexible orrigid.
 9. The appendage according to claim 1, wherein the appendage iscomprised of the same material or a different material than theoutrigger.
 10. The appendage according to claim 1, wherein the appendageis configured for attachment to the outrigger using an attachment meansselected from the group consisting of clamps, screws, bolts, glue,welds, welding, clips, ties, ropes, and combinations thereof.
 11. Theappendage according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving theappendage between the retracted and extended positions.
 12. Theappendage according to claim 11, wherein the means for moving theappendage is a hinge or spring.
 13. The appendage according to claim 11,further comprising a control line for controlling the movement of theappendage between the retracted and extended positions.
 14. Theappendage according to claim 1, further comprising a halyard with one ormore release clips for releasably holding lines attached to baits orlures.
 15. The appendage according to claim 3, wherein the appendage, inthe extended position, is configured to troll baits and lures forwardof, or close to, the stern wave caused by movement of the boat throughthe water and at an angle to the surface of the water.
 16. The appendageaccording to claim 1, wherein the length of the appendage is less thanthe length of the outrigger.
 17. An outrigger appendage kit for afishing boat, the kit comprising: a) the appendage according to claim 1for attachment to an outrigger; b) means for moving the appendagebetween a retracted position and an extended position after attachmentof the appendage to the outrigger; and c) means for controlling themovement of the appendage between the retracted and extended positions.18. The kit according to claim 17, further comprising one or morehalyards and clips for releasably holding a fishing line to theoutrigger or to the appendage.
 19. The kit according to claim 17,wherein the means for moving the appendage is a spring or hinge.
 20. Thekit according to claim 17, wherein the means for controlling themovement of the appendage is a manual means or a mechanical means. 21.The kit according to claim 17, wherein the means for controlling themovement of the appendage is a control line or a halyard.
 22. The kitaccording to claim 17, further comprising the outrigger as an includedpart of the kit.
 23. An outrigger for a boat, the outrigger comprisingan appendage which is moveable from a retracted position to an extendedposition, wherein the appendage is configured for trolling.